Many people think that having a good Christmas means spending money. They blow the budget at Christmas, and spend the New Year worrying how they are going to pay for their “good Christmas”. Christmas on a budget can be more fun than this scenario. Christmas is about far more than money, it is about family, fun and good cheer. If you overspend at Christmas, good cheer soon evaporates when the bills come in January.
Gifts, food, decorations and Christmas cards need not cost huge amounts of money. Nearly everyone is economizing this year, and keeping up with the Joneses is an expensive business. It may lead to considering that something is good because it is expensive, rather than because it is just good. Do not get brain washed by all the advertising.
Christmas decorations
Use the decorations you had last year. If you really want some new ones, make your own. People used to decorate their houses with holly, mistletoe, and homemade items, before you could buy decorations in shops. Children used to make paper chains at school. If you crochet, you could crochet your Christmas decorations. Use natural things, such as pine cones, dried flowers and the like to make table decorations. Use your crafting skills to make innovative unique decorations that your friends will envy. Typing “home made Christmas decorations” into an Internet search engine will yield some brilliant ideas.
Christmas Greetings Cards
Agree with your workmates and colleagues to wish one another a Merry Christmas in person. You do not need to send cards to people you see every day. Cards were originally a way to keep in touch with family and friends far away, not for all and sundry. If you are sending several cards to one address, either consider sending one card to the family or putting several cards in one envelope.
Christmas Food
You do not need to buy every special festive food in the supermarket. Nobody will miss the nuts that you buy every Christmas and throw away in January. First, consider all the things you usually buy at Christmas, which hang around and then cross them off your shopping list. Many people buy a huge turkey, ham, or joint for Christmas Day and then cannot eat it quickly enough and throw much meat away, which is wasteful. Buy what you know you will use and use every bit. Boil the carcass or meat bones with vegetables for stock or soup and either use or freeze it for later use. A good soup made hearty with vegetables and dumplings can make a great winter’s
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